The Hard Stuff: "What can I do about terrible gifts?"

I have a dilemma every Christmas with my spouse's long-distance relatives. They always send no-real-thought-involved presents, and they never include the gift receipts. The final straw was when our sons received golf shirts-- despite the fact that one of them has worked in a golf shop for the past five years. I just lost it: I sent the shirts back to these relatives with a note saying they were the wrong size and not exchangeable without having that store nearby or gift receipts. So they sent us a gift card to a store-- and they weren't too happy with me, I'm sure! How can I handle this situation better in the future, since dropping tiny suggestions for long-distance gift giving has fallen on deaf ears?
-- M.K., 45, Chicago

Be grateful that you have long-distance relatives who are thoughtful enough to send presents. And clearly, if after the golf-shirt fiasco they sent you a gift card to a store, your hint didn't fall on completely deaf ears. Indeed, it seems they heard you loud and clear. Do your best to find the humor in all this, and remember that it really, truly is the thought-- however loopy it may be-- that counts.